Bringing Malaysian Universities closer to Seychellois |16 February 2017
Freshly graduated Seychellois students had the opportunity yesterday to get to know the various possibilities for further studies in Malaysia in an exposition at Eden Bleu hotel.
Currently some 60 Seychellois students are studying in various Malaysian universities.
This event was organised by the Malaysia Education Centre (MEC) whose director is Fadil Ruhomutally.
“It is our 2nd Malaysia Education Exhibition in Seychelles. The first exhibition was last year in August and it was a big success. Hundreds of students came and many of them were accompanied by their parents. We also had a lot of professionals who came and enquired about further studies. Many Seychellois went to study in Malaysia in 2016. We plan to do exhibition in Seychelles in February and August every year,” he said.
Mr Ruhomutally also stated that his centre represents some 50 universities in Malaysia offering over 100 courses. How do they proceed in Seychelles?
“Stage 1: Seychellois students are advised to come to the exhibition to meet the university representatives for counselling. At this stage they are advised to get the maximum info to choose the option which suits their needs.
Stage 2: Students seeking sponsorship should meet ANHRD reps to seek advice on application. Scholarship is also available in Malaysia and MEC will guide the students accordingly. Students who do not meet the scholarship/sponsorship requirements are required to contact us for assistance on admission procedures. They should apply through MEC to benefit from our services. We do not charge for any of our services.
Stage 3: We will follow up to get the students offer letters and visa approval letters.
Stage 4: We will arrange for a pre-departure briefing to ensure they are well prepared. We will also assist on hostel booking and airport pick up.
The final stage is when the students travel to Malaysia,” explained Mr Ruhomutally.
MEC. which is working in close collaboration with the ANHRD, assist the students in the following ways: “We organise Malaysia Education Exhibition giving the opportunity to Seychellois to meet the university representatives in person and explore various study options available in Malaysia. We provide updated information on admission procedures for our institutions and guide students on the documents needed in the required format for smooth procedures. We screen scan copies of all admission documents. We follow up closely with the Institutions and provide regular updates to students. We follow up with the institutions and EMGS and provide regular updates to students on the progress of the student visa, we also advise on studying and living in Malaysia, do the booking of hostel accommodation. We make arrangement with the institutions for airport pick up if this service is offered by the institutions or advice on airport taxi service and make arrangement for scholarship for eligible candidates. We finally do a pre-departure briefing by Skype or in person depending on the number of students.”
Anna Holstein, acting principal scholarship administrator, shared that ANHRD is fully supporting this event as it facilitates the choice of the students.
“Every year we send students to Malaysia and we have a very good working relationship with all the universities. So far we are having a positive response from the potential students and once they are accepted in a university, we will facilitate the process,” she said.
The 10 universities that took part in the Malaysia Education Exhibition yesterday are:
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU): Jaheen Hameed said that currently APU is hosting 15 students from Seychelles. Elna, who is a first-year student in that university, was also present to help promote that institution.
“We focused mainly on Engineering, IT, Accounting and Business, International Relations and International Business Management. It’s the third time we are coming here and the students are very keen. Write to jaheen@apu.edu.my for more info.”
Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences: Mr Sivan noted that “this institution has 4 000 students from 25 countries and we are promoting mainly medical science programmes, bio medical, engineering, occupational safety and health, psychology, homeopathic medical science, physiotherapy, pharmaceutical and MBBS. Email sivan@cybermed.edu.my”.
Taylor’s university: Tan Huey Kuan said that “currently 20 students are studying in that institution. This is the only 6th star ranked institution in Malaysia. We have some 15 000 students out of which 20% are foreign. Taylor’s is ranked among the best institutions in Malaysia. Email on hueykuan.tan@taylors.edu.my for more info.”
Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL): “As of 2012, this institution is a fully fledged comprehensive university with 40% foreign students. We offer 63 courses in six faculties and our forte is engineering and architecture. More info can be received by emailing cheryl@iukl.edu.my”.
INTI International University and Colleges: Muhammad Zuhayr Ackburally noted that “we have ten students from Seychelles studying business and engineering. As we have a global institution established in 18 countries with 80 universities around the world, we also offer a transfer programme for two years which allow students to get admission to universities in Canada and USA. More info can be received by emailing zuhayr.ackburally@newinti.edu.my”.
QUEST International University Perak (QIUP): Ananth Lachumanan explained that this institution is a semi government owned and they have a business faculty and science faculties which provide courses in pharmacy, medicine, bio- technology, bio-medical and engineering. Depending on the results of the students, they can apply for partial scholarships also. More info can be received by e-mailing nitthiyanathan.lachumanan@qiup.edu.my
SEGi University: “Currently four students are coming to study in our institutions and they are waiting for visa. It is a comprehensive university and our strength is engineering medical related fields and business courses. We have 8 000 students in eight colleges. The students are awarded double certificate degrees as we are partner with University of Sunderland, Abertay University, and University of St Mark & St John. More info available by writing on azes@segi.edu.my
Sunway University: Terrence Tung explained that the university he is promoting is situated within the resort of Sunway and there exist very good facilities. The famous courses they are offering are Business courses, Hospitality and Management, Psychology and other Sciences. They also have programmes in partnership with Lancester university.
“We currently have three students from Seychelles and many others have shown interest in joining our institution. For more info students can email us on international5@sunway.edu.my”, noted Mr Tung.
The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus: Sumithra Durai noted that “already 20 Seychellois students are studying in this university. For many years we are having regular students from the Seychelles and the main courses they are opting for are engineering, business economics and International relations. It is the first UK university to open outside UK and we have been in Malaysia for 17 years. The entry requirement is high and students can get more in info by emailing Sumithra.Durai@nottingham.edu.my”
Universiti Sains Malaysia, APEX: Professor Dr Ahmad Sukari Halim, director of this institution explained that “this university is a fully owned government institution. Currently we do not have any Seychellois students but we also recently opened our doors for foreign students. We are looking to recruit mainly post graduate students and mainly students for medical specialists programmes. More info can be obtained by email ahalim@usm.my”
Seychelles NATION met two potential students, Darell Scholastique and Guilliane Naiken. «I currently work at the public health laboratory and I am diploma holder from NIHSS. I am looking at prospects for further professional development. Malaysia seems interesting, » noted Darell.
Guilliane , who just completed her A-levels last year, said : «I am looking for studies abroad in international relations. For sure I got more information, my worries about the course and the different job prospects have been cleared,» said Ms Naiken.
The accompanying photos show students at the exhibition learning more about the various further studies opportunities available at Malaysian universities.
